Apparatus and method for manufacture flexible reclosable containers

ABSTRACT

A novel apparatus and method for manufacturing flexible, reclosable containers is described herein. A continuous web of flexible film is formed into a tube around a forming tube. The lateral edges of the continuous web are guided so as to extend substantially perpendicularly from the forming tube, thereby forming a longitudinal seam. A pair of interlocked continuous fastener profile strips are then directed downwardly into the seam between the lateral edges of the film. Intermittent impulse sealing bars are utilized for heating the exterior surfaces of the seam so as to heatseal the bases of the fastener strips to the interior surfaces of the seam. Vertical longitudinal sealing bars are further provided externally from the impulse sealing bars which seal the longitudinal seam proximate the lateral edges of the continuous web. A pair of transverse sealing bars form the top seal of a first container and the bottom seal of a second container. Product may then be dispensed through the forming tube into the first container, a top seal formed across the first container by the transverse sealing bars, and the first container cut from the tube of flexible film. An improved high speed apparatus and method of manufacturing flexible reclosable containers is thereby provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to flexible reclosablecontainers and more particularly to the manufacture of such containersfor use in what is commonly called form, fill and seal packagingsystems.

The use of flexible containers having reclosable fasteners eitherintegrally formed in the sidewalls thereof or heat sealed thereto iswidely known, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,198,228, Naito; 3,338,284Ausnit; and, 4,101,355, Ausnit. Similarly, the use of such containersfor form, fill, seal packaging systems may be seen in U.S. Pat. No.4,355,494, Tilman, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,683, Ausnit. However, in the'494 patent of Tilman, individual reclosable fastener profiles areattached to the lateral edges of a flat continuous web of film utilizingadhesive. As a result, after the web is formed into a tube, theindividual profiles must be brought together and interlocked. Inaddition, the adhesive must be maintained under compression for asufficient period in which to set. The speed of manufacture is therebyreduced. In the '683 patent of Ausnit, sections of fastener strips areextended transversely across the web and heat sealed thereto. Again, thespeed of manufacture is thereby reduced.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for manufacturing flexible reclosable containers inwhich the fastener profiles are heat sealed within the longitudinal sealof the container.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for the high speed manufacture of flexible reclosable form,fill, seal containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for manufacturingflexible reclosable containers, to a method of manufacturing of suchcontainers and to the containers themselves. In one embodiment of theinvention, a mechanism is provided for dispensing a continuous web offlexible film. A roll of the film is mounted on a dispensing roller andthe film is pulled from the roll by one or more powered rollers or beltdrives. The film is directed over a series of idler rollers to the areaproximate the top of a vertical forming tube. The film is then guidedaround the vertical forming tube so as to form a tube of flexible filmhaving its lateral edges extending normally from the filling tube.

A second dispensing mechanism is provided for dispensing a pair ofinterlocked continuous strips of fastener profile. These fastenerprofiles are also constructed of flexible plastic. One of the profilesmay have a male configuration and the opposite profile may have a femaleconfiguration adapted for interlocking. Alternatively, a series ofinterlocking male and female profiles may be provided on both fastenerprofiles.

The fastener profiles may be extruded directly adjacent to the form fillseal apparatus and then cooled prior to utilization. Preferably,however, the fastener profiles are extruded at a separate location,interlocked, wound on spools and unrolled prior to use. The mechanismfor unwinding and conveying the fastener profiles is again a poweredroller system.

In a preferred embodiment, the fastener profiles are interlocked. Thismay be accomplished by means of guides and/or rollers which bring thefastener profiles together and provide pressure to interlock them. Theinterlocked fastener profiles are then guided vertically above theforming tube, across idler rollers and directed downwardly into thelongitudinal seam by means of profile guides located between the lateraledges of the plastic film. The profile guides position the respectivebases of each of the fastener profiles within the longitudinal seam andagainst the inner surface of the film. Impulse sealing bars arepositioned outside of the plastic film and aligned with the respectivebases of the fastener profiles. The impulse sealing bars are movedtowards each other so as to compress the plastic film and the fastenerprofiles between them. When the plastic film is compressed, a surge ofelectricity is provided through the impulse sealing bars so as to heatseal the fastener profiles to the inside surface of the film.

A second set of sealing bars is disposed outside of the impulse sealingbars. These are preferably conventional heated metal bars, used to formthe longitudinal seal. The bar seals and the impulse sealing bars aredisposed vertically and in parallel to the axis of the longitudinalseam, with the bar seals proximate the edges of the film and the impulsesealing bars positioned more closely to the center of the tube ofplastic film. The bar seals; i.e., the longitudinal sealing bars arecompressed against the film in an area further outside or away from theaxis of the fastener profiles then the fastener profiles so as to heatseal the seam. Both the sealing of the fastener profiles and thelongitudinal seam may be accomplished simultaneously.

Following sealing of the longitudinal seam, the bottom portion of thetube of continuous film is transversely sealed by a set of horizontallydisposed traverse bar seals, which are preferably of conventional barseal design. The transverse bar sealing mechanism preferably comprises apair of bar sealers which are horizontally disposed on opposite sides ofthe tube of flexible film. The transverse bar seals are heated andintermittently compressed against each other with the film in between,thereby sealing the tube of film horizontally. In a preferredembodiment, the transverse top seal bar and the transverse bottom sealbar are disposed closely adjacent to each other and substantiallyhorizontally. One set of transverse sealing bars is on one side of thetube of flexible film and the opposite set is on the other side. Thus,when the transverse sealing bars are brought substantially intocompression against one another, a top seal and a bottom seal are formedin the tube of flexible film. A desired quantity of product such asgranular or other food products may then be filled through the formingtube into the bottom portion of the tube of flexible film, followingformation of the bottom seal of the container. A hot wire cuttingmechanism or a knife is provided for separating the individualcontainers from the tube of film after sealing. The cutting mechanismmay be disposed between the top and bottom transverse seal or mountedseparately, if desired.

The present invention also includes a method of manufacturing theflexible reclosable container mentioned above. As noted, a web ofcontinuous film is dispensed and wrapped around a forming tube. A pairof continuous strips of interlocked flexible fastener profile aredispensed downwardly into the longitudinal seam formed on one side ofthe tube of flexible film. The fastener profiles and the longitudinalseam are then sealed simultaneously by separate sets of sealing bars.Transverse seals are then formed at the bottom of the container, thecontainer is filled, a top seal is formed and the container separatedfrom the tube.

An additional aspect of the invention is the flexible container formedby the aforesaid apparatus and method. The flexible container has alongitudinal fin seal along one edge. In parallel to the fin seal, butcloser to the center of the container are the two interlocked fastenerprofiles, sealed to the inside walls of the container. The container maybe opened by tearing or cutting the film along the space between thereclosable fasteners and the longitudinal seal. Alternatively, thelongitudinal seal may be peeled open, if desired. A peelable seal may beprovided by carefully controlling the pressure, dwell time andtemperature of the longitudinal seal. A unique flexible reclosablecontainer is thereby provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an apparatus for manufacturingflexible reclosable form, fill, seal containers.

FIG. 1A is a side cross sectional view of one embodiment of the fastenerprofiles utilized in the apparatus of FIG. 1 of the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a flexible reclosable container manufacturedby the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view, partially broken away, of analternate embodiment of the apparatus of FIG. 1, showing in particular afirst set of sealing bars for sealing of the fastener profiles to thelongitudinal seam of film and a second set of sealing bars disposedbelow the first set, for sealing the longitudinal or fin seal.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an individual container formed bythe apparatus of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the flexible reclosable container ofFIG. 5, taken along line 6--6.

FIG. 7 is a side view, partially broken away of a schematic illustrationof the apparatus of FIG. 2 showing in particular guides for positioningthe fastener profiles in the longitudinal seam.

FIG. 8 is a front view, partially broken away of the film guidemechanism used to form the film into a tube, as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of theapparatus of FIG. 1, showing in particular a first profile guide and asecond profile guide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in manydifferent forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein bedescribed in detail several specific embodiments with the understandingthat the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as thoseskilled in the art who have the disclosure before them are able to makemodifications and variations therein without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, an apparatus 10 is provided formanufacturing flexible reclosable containers 12 having a top seal 13, abottom seal 15, a longitudinal seal 17 and flexible fastener profiles 19and 21 disposed proximate the longitudinal seal 17 and in axialalignment therewith. Apparatus 10 includes a continuous web 14 offlexible film 16 disposed on a dispensing roller 18. Flexible film 16may be a wide variety of typical packaging films such as polyethylene,polypropylene, or laminated film having a layer of foil orpolyvinylidene chloride for barrier protection. In the case of laminatedfilm, an interior coating of heat sealable film such as polyethylenemust be present. In one embodiment of the invention, flexible film 16may be dispensed from a dispensing roller 18 by means of powered rollers20 which have an exterior rubber surface 22 or belt which grips flexiblefilm 16. Flexible film 16 is advanced over idler rollers 24 in a flatconfiguration to an area proximate the top 26 of forming tube 28.Flexible film 16 is then directed downwardly and around forming tube 28by means of a film guide mechanism 30 so as to form a tube 32 offlexible film having lateral edges 34 and 36 of tube 32 extendingnormally from filling tube 28.

As best shown in FIG. 8, in a preferred embodiment, the film guidemechanism 30 comprises a substantially tubular collar 33 having a rolledlip 35 disposed about the periphery of the top portion 37 of the tubularcollar 33. The rolled lip 35 preferably is formed as a continuous curvetangentially disposed and intersecting the top portion 37 of the collar33. A raised longitudinal slot 39 is vertically disposed along thelength of the tubular collar 33. The longitudinal slot 39 has a pair ofraised sidewalls 41 and 43 extending substantially normally from thelength of the collar 33. The rolled lip 35 is curved so as to funnel thecontinuous web of flexible film 16 into a tubular configuration 32. Thelateral edges 34 and 36 of the continuous web of flexible film 16 arethereby positioned in the longitudinal slot 39 between the raisedsidewalls 41 and 43 so as to extend substantially normally from theforming tube 28. An example of commonly known equipment formanufacturing form fill seal containers is the Hayssen Model Ultima,manufactured by Hayssen Manufacturing, Sheboygen, Wis.

Returning to FIG. 1, a pair of continuous fastener profile strips 38 and40 are provided. The continuous fastener strips 38 and 40, as shown inFIG. 1A, have mating hook mechanisms 46 and 48 for selectiveinterlocking and reopening. Fastener profile strips 38 and 40 arepreferably interlocked prior to use, and are wound on a roll 42.Examples of similar fastener profiles may be seen in U.S. Pat. No.2,780,261, Svec. The continuous fastener profile strips 38 and 40 aredispensed from a roll 42, and are advanced by means of powered rollers50 and 52 to the area above the filling tube 28. They may then bedirected downwardly by means of the powered rollers 50 and 52 into thegap 54 in the longitudinal seam 56 formed in the space between lateraledges 34 and 36 of tube 32 of flexible film 16. Alternatively, thecontinuous fastener profile strips may be advanced by the movement ofthe film 16; that is since the continuous fastener profiles 38 and 40are sealed to the film 16 as the film advances (as described below), theprofiles similarly advance. This combination of mechanisms 57 may beused either collectively or alternatively for advancing the fastenerstrips.

As shown in FIG. 2, and 7 the mechanism 59 for guiding the interlockedcontinuous fastener profiles 38 and 40 within the gap 54 between thelateral edges 34 and 36 of the continuous web 14 of flexible film 16comprises a first profile guide 61 longitudinally disposed on andfixedly attached to the forming tube 28. In the embodiment shown, thefirst profile guide 61 comprises a blade mounted vertically on theforming tube 28 and inserted into the space between the fastenerprofiles 38 and 40 so as to guide the pair of continuous fastener strips38 and 40 downwardly along the forming tube 28. Alternatively, the firstprofile guide may comprise a guide 61', shown in FIG. 9A, which is ac-shaped track having a longitudinal slot 61a sized for reception of theinterlocked fastener profiles 38 and 40. The first profile guide memberis preferably welded to the forming tube 28. Alternatively, othercommonly known means of attachment may be provided. As is evident fromFIGS. 2 and 7, the forming tube 28 and the first profile guide 61 arepreferably disposed in a vertical position.

As further shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, a second profile guide 65 isprovided. The second profile guide 65 is vertically disposed in parallelto the axis of the filling tube 28. The second profile guide 65, in theembodiment shown is a rectangular beam having an external width adaptedfor insertion between the lateral edges 67 and 69 of the continuousfastener profile strips 38 and 40 when they are interlocked together. Asa result, the first and second fastener profile strips 38 and 40 areslidingly disposed between the first profile guide 61 and the secondprofile guide 65, and are maintained in substantially parallel alignmentto the axis of the forming tube 28. Once the continuous fastener strips38 and 40 are aligned and are running parallel to the tube of flexiblefilm 32, they may be sealed to the film 16 as described below.

Returning to FIG. 2, vertically disposed on opposite sides of lateraledges 34 and 36 are impulse sealing bars 58 and 60. The sealing bars 58and 60 each have a nichrome wire heater 62 and 64, and are covered onboth sides of the nichrome wire by a Teflon tape 66 and 68 to preventsticking of the sealing bars to the film. The wires 62 and 64 do notcome into direct contact with the film. The impulse sealing bars 58 and60 are compressed against the exterior surfaces 70 and 72 of the tube 32proximate the lateral edges 34 and 36 of the longitudinal seam 56. Animpulse of electricity is then provided from an impulse generator as iscommonly known in the art. The resultant heat causes the respectivebases 74 and 76 of the continuous strips of fastener profiles 38 and 40(shown in FIG. 1A) to become heat sealed to the opposed interiorsurfaces 78 and 80 of the longitudinal seam 56.

A second set of sealing bars, longitudinal sealing bars 82 and 84, aredisposed outside of the impulse sealing bars 58 and 60. Theselongitudinal sealing bars 82 and 84 are disposed outside of but closelyproximate to the exterior surfaces 70 and 72 of tube 32, near lateraledges 34 and 36, in opposed relationship to each other and in parallelto impulse sealing bars 58 and bars 58 and 60. Longitudinal sealing bars82 and 84 are preferably constructed as heated metal bars.Alternatively, the longitudinal sealing bars 82 and 84 may compriseimpulse sealers, if an impulse seal is desired.

Either following heat sealing by impulse sealers 58 and 60 orsimultaneously, longitudinal sealing bars 82 and 84 are heated andcompressed against the exterior surfaces 70 and 72 of longitudinal seam56. This causes a continuous, longitudinal or "fin" seal 86 to be formedbetween opposing interior film surfaces 78 and 80 extending verticallyon tube 32. The impulse sealing bars 58 and 60 and longitudinal sealingbars 82 and 84 are selectively compressed against tube 16 or retractedby means of hydraulic pistons 88 (90, 92 and 94 not shown). The timingof hydraulic pistons 88-94 may be set by hydraulic controls 96 or by anelectric eye 98.

As shown in FIG. 1, disposed below longitudinal sealing bars 82 and 84are transverse sealing bars 100, 102, 104 and 106. The transversesealing bars 100 and 102 are disposed on one side of the tube 32 offlexible film 16, and transverse sealing bars 104 and 106 are oppositelydisposed; each transverse sealing bar faces an opposed sealing bar.Unlike sealing bars 58, 60, 82 and 84 the transverse sealing bars100-106 are disposed horizontally rather than vertically so as to form atransverse top seal 94 and a transverse bottom seal 96 of container 12.In the embodiment shown the transverse top seal 94 and transverse bottomseal 96 are formed simultaneously. However, a single set of transversesealing bars 100 and 104 may be provided so as to individually form thetop seal 94 or the bottom seal 96, if desired.

As further shown in FIG. 1, a filling tube 26 is provided which extendsdownwardly from above continuous web 16 through and into forming tube28.

Product such as candy, nuts, chips (best shown in FIG. 6), or evenliquids may be dispensed downwardly through filling tube 26 which has atubular bore 99 extending there through, through forming tube 28 havinga similar tubular bore 101 and into container 12. The bottom portion 103of the forming tube 28 is positioned so that after transverse sealingbars 100 through 106 seal the container 12, the bottom portion 103 offorming tube is positioned at the top 105 of an open container 12.Product may then be dispensed into the container 12 in any desiredquantity, as is commonly known in the art. Following filling ofcontainer 12 with product, the top seal 94 of container 12 is formed.The individual container 12 may then be separated from the tube 32 offlexible film 16 by means of mechanism 107 which transversely cuts thetube 32 in parallel with and adjacent to the top seal 94 so as toseparate the container 12 from the tube 32 of flexible film 16. In apreferred embodiment mechanism 107 may comprise a cutting knife 108transversely disposed relative to tube 32 of flexible film 16.Alternatively, a heated wire cutting mechanism (not shown) may beutilized.

As further shown in FIG. 1, sealing bars 100 and 102 are horizontallydisposed and in parallel to each other with cutting knife 108 beingdisposed therebetween. Sealing bars 100 and 102 are mounted on ahydraulic piston 110 which may be selectively actuated. Similarly,transverse sealing bars 104 and 106 are oppositely disposed fromtransverse sealing bars 100 and 102 and are mounted on a horizontallydisposed hydraulic piston 112. When hydraulic pistons 110 and 112 areactuated, transverse sealing bars 100 through 106 and cutting knife 108are compressed against the tube 32 of flexible film 16. A correspondingcutting knife 114 acts in conjunction with cutting knife 108 so as tosever tube 32. When the hydraulic pistons 110 and 112 are withdrawn,transverse sealing bars 86 through 92 are similarly withdrawn, allowingcontainer 12 to drop from tube 32 of flexible film 16. A new top seal 94and bottom seal 96 are thereby formed by transverse sealing bars 102 and106 so as to form a bottom seal 96 of one of the containers 12 at thebottom 116 of tube 32.

Transverse sealing bars 100 through 106, impulse sealing bars 58 and 60and longitudinal sealing bars 82 and 84 may be controlled by meanscommonly known in the art for forming flexible packages, such as anelectric eye, a cam mechanism, or other commonly known devices (notshown). Similarly, the strength of electrical current required forsealing may be controlled by a rheostat, a thermostat or other commonlyknown electrical devices such as temperature controller 111. Likewise,the mechanism for filling container 12 may comprise conventional filingequipment such as volumetric filling systems, weight filling systems orother commonly known means of dispensing individual portions. In apreferred embodiment, apparatus 10 is constructed of metal such asaluminum or steel. Forming tube 28 and filling tube 26 are preferablyconstructed of stainless steel.

As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, flexible reclosable container 12 isformed from a sheet of flexible film 16 into a tube 32 having atransverse top seal 94, a transverse bottom seal 96 and a longitudinalseal 56 disposed along one side 116 of the container 12. Flexible film16 may comprise a multi layer laminate, if desired. A pair of flexiblefastener profiles 38' and 40' are heat sealed to opposing insidesurfaces 78 and 80 of flexible film 16. The fastener profiles 38' and40' are the leading portions of the continuous fastener profile strips38 and 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The fastener profiles 38' and 40' aredisposed substantially in parallel to the longitudinal seal 56 and areadapted for selectively interlocking so as to reseal the container orfor selectively releasing as required. This is accomplished by means offlexible male profile 46 and flexible female profile 48 as shown in FIG.1A. As further shown in FIG. 3, an opening portion 118 is provided whichis disposed between longitudinal seal 56 and fastener profiles 38' and40'. The opening portion 118 is constructed and arranged so as to permitselective opening of the container 12.

As mentioned above, in a preferred embodiment the longitudinal seal 56comprises a fin seal 86; i.e., the seal is formed by flat heated bars soas to form a relatively wide flat seal. Alternately, the fin seal 56 maybe formed from heated rollers. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3fastener profiles 38' and 40' are heat sealed at their ends 120 and 122within top seal 94 and bottom seal 96.

As further shown in FIG. 3 a notch 128 is formed in the transverse topseal 94. The notch 128 is constructed so as to initiate opening of thecontainer 12 between longitudinal seal 56 and fastener profiles 38' and40' across opening portion 118, as is known in the art. Most films havea tear strength that drops significantly after a tear has beeninitiated; thus, the notch 128 facilitates opening of the container 12.However, in order to further enhance opening of the container 12, one ormore tear lines 130 of weakened resistance such as tear line 130 may beformed in tube 32 and disposed between the fastener profiles 38' and 40'and the longitudinal seal 56. This further facilitates separation of thelongitudinal seal 56 from the container 12, thereby opening of thecontainer 12.

Turning now to FIG. 4, in an alternate embodiment of the invention, thelongitudinal sealing bars 82 and 84 are designed below and in axialalignment with the impulse sealing bars 58 and 60. The longitudinalsealing bars 82 and 84 are thus more closely aligned with the lateraledges 34 and 36 of tube 32. As a result, when longitudinal sealing bars82 and 84 are compressed against exterior surfaces 70 and 72 alongitudinal seal 56 is formed which is positioned outside of continuousfastener profile strips 38 and 40.

Disposed below longitudinal sealing bars 82 and 84 are transversesealing bars 100 and 102. Transverse sealing bars 100 and 102 arehorizontally disposed on opposite sides of tube 32. As a result whentransverse sealing bars 100 and 102 are compressed against tube 32,either a top seal 94, a bottom seal 96 or both may be formedsimultaneously.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a top seal sealing bar portion 200and a bottom sealing bar portion 202 are horizontally disposed acrosssealing bar 100.

Similarly a top sealing bar portion 204 and a bottom sealing bar portion206 are horizontally disposed across transverse sealing bar 102. Thuswhen heated and compressed against tube 32, both a top seal 94 and abottom seal 96 are formed simultaneously.

Further shown in the schematic illustration in FIG. 4 is cuttingmechanism 106. In this embodiment cutting mechanism 106 comprises aknife blade which is compressed into and through tube 32 and into a slot208 in transverse sealing bar 102. By means of cutting knife 106,individual containers 12 may be separated from tube 32. As may befurther seen in FIG. 4, in the embodiment shown, fin seal 86 issubstantially equidistant from the sides 210 and 212 of tube 32.

The container 12 formed by the method shown in FIG. 4 may be seen inFIG. 5. The resulting container 12 has a fin seal 86 located along theback or rear surface 214 of the container 12. Further illustrating theposiition of fin seal 86 relative to the sides 210 and 212 of container12 is FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, container 12' contains products suchas chips, candy or pieces of dried fruit 216. Fin seal 86, as shown,extends substantially normally from container 12'. However, fin seal 86may be compressed against the rear surface 214 by means of a heatedroller or plow 218, (as shown in FIG. 4) prior to top and bottom sealingby means of transverse sealing bars 100 and 102. Thus the finalcontainer 12' has the fin seal 84 substantially flat against realsurface 214.

It should be further noted, that in an additional embodiment of theinvention, fin seal 86 may be peelable, if desired. This may beaccomplished in a number of ways. By carefully controlling the amount ofpressure, heat, and the dwell time utilized in longitudinal sealing bars82 and 84, fin seal 86 may be sealed sufficiently to remain closedduring shipment, but peeled open during use. Nevertheless, it ispreferable however that fin seal 86 be fixedly sealed so as to avoid thepossibility of tampering with the products 216 contained therein. Bymeans of such sealing, a novel flexible reclosable container isprovided.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for converting a continuous web offlexible film and continuous strips of flexible fastener profile intoflexible reclosable containers having a top seal, a bottom seal, alongitudinal seal and flexible fastener profiles disposed within saidlongitudinal seal, said apparatus comprising:means for dispensing saidcontinuous web of flexible film; means for forming said continuous webinto a tube of flexible film having a seam longitudinally disposedthereon, said seam having opposed film surfaces and lateral edgesadjoining each other, and projecting substantially normally from saidtube; means for dispensing said continuous strips of flexible fastenerprofile into said seam; means for guiding said continuous strips offlexible fastener profile within said seam; means for sealing theleading portions of said continuous strips of flexible fastener profileto said opposed film surfaces within said seam; means for sealing saidopposed film surfaces to each other so as to form a longitudinal sealalong said joint; and, means for transversely sealing said tube so as toform said top and bottom seals of said flexible reclosable containers.2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for dispensing saidcontinuous fastener profile into said seam comprises:roller means foraligning said interlocked continuous strips with said longitudinal seam;means for guiding said interlocked continuous strips within saidlongitudinal seam prior to sealing to said flexible film; and, means forpositioning said interlocked continuous strips during sealing to saidfilm.
 3. An apparatus for forming, filling and sealing a flexiblereclosable container comprising:means for dispensing a continuous web offlexible film; means for forming said continuous web into a tube offlexible film having opposed film surfaces adjacent lateral edges ofsaid tube, said opposed film surfaces projecting substantially normallyfrom said tube so as to form a longitudinal seam therebetween; means fordispensing a pair of interlocked flexible fastener profiles into saidlongitudinal seam; means for sealing said flexible fastener profiles tosaid film within said seam; means for heat sealing said longitudinalseam so as to form a longitudinal seal; means for transversely heatsealing said tube so as to form a bottom seal of said flexiblereclosable container: means for filling said container with a desiredquantity of product; means for transversely heat sealing said tube so asto form a top seal of said container; and, means for transverselycutting said tube so as to separate said container from the remainder ofsaid tube.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for formingsaid continuous web into a tube comprises;a forming tube; and, means forguiding said continuous web of flexible film around said forming tube soas to form a juncture of lateral edges of said continuous web, with saidlateral edges projecting normally from said forming tube so as to form alongitudinal seam.
 5. An apparatus for converting a continuous web offlexible film and continuous strips of flexible fastener profile intoflexible reclosable containers having a top seal, a bottom seal, alongitudinal seal and flexible fastener profiles disposed within saidlongitudinal seal, said apparatus comprising:means for dispensing saidcontinuous web of flexible film; means for forming said continuous webinto a tube of flexible film having a seam longitudinally disposedthereon, said seam having opposed film surfaces and lateral edgesadjoining each other and projecting substantially normally from saidtube; means for dispensing said continuous strips of flexible fastenerprofile into said seam; means for guiding said continuous strips offlexible fastener profile within said seam; means for sealing leadingportions of said continuous strips of flexible fastener profile to saidopposed film surfaces within said seam; means for sealing said opposedfilm surfaces to each other so as to form said longitudinal seal; and,means for transversely sealing said tube so as to form said top andbottom seals of said flexible reclosable containers.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5 wherein said means for forming said continuous web into saidtube of flexible film comprises: a forming tube; and,means for guidingsaid continuous web about said forming tube so as to form saidcontinuous web into said tube of flexible film having said lateral edgesof said tube of flexible film adjoining each other and extendingsubstantially normally from said forming tube.
 7. The apparatus of claim6 wherein said means for guiding said continuous web about said formingtube comprises:a substantially tubular collar member having a rolled lipdisposed about the periphery of the top portion of said collar member,said collar member further having a raised longitudinal slot disposedalong the length thereof, said longitudinal slot having a pair of raisedsidewalls extending substantially normally from said length of saidcollar member; and, said rolled lip being constructed and arranged forguiding said continuous web into a tubular configuration and said raisedsidewalls and longitudinal slot being constructed and arranged forextending the lateral edges of said continuous web substantiallynormally from said filling tube.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 whereinsaid rolled lip comprises a substantially continuous curve tangentiallydisposed and intersecting said top portion of said collar member.
 9. Anapparatus for forming, filling and sealing a flexible reclosablecontainer from a continuous web of flexible film and a pair ofcontinuous strips of flexible fastener profile, said apparatuscomprising:means for dispensing said continuous web of flexible film;means for forming said continuous web into a tube having a longitudinalseam projecting normally therefrom; means for dispensing said pair ofcontinuous strips of flexible fastener profile into said longitudinalseam; means for sealing said fastener profiles to said film within saidlongitudinal seam; means for heat sealing said longitudinal seam so asto form a longitudinal seal; means for transversely sealing said tube soas to form a bottom seal of said container; means for filling saidcontainer with a desired quantity of product; means for transverselysealing said tube so as to form a top seal of said container; and meansfor transversely cutting said tube in parallel with and adjacent to saidtop seal so as to separate said container from said tube of flexiblefilm.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for forming saidcontinuous web of flexible film into a tube comprises:a forming tube;and, means for guiding said continuous web of flexible film around saidforming tube so as to form a juncture of the lateral edges of saidcontinuous web, with said lateral edges projecting normally from saidforming tube so as to form a longitudinal seam.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 10 wherein said means for dispensing said pair of continuousstrips of flexible fastener profile into said longitudinal seamcomprises:a first profile guide member longitudinally disposed on andfixedly attached to said forming tube so as to be vertically disposed insaid longitudinal seam.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said firstprofile guide member comprises a blade vertically disposed on saidforming tube and interposed between the lateral edges of said profilemembers, so as to guide said pair of continuous fastener stripsdownwardly along said forming tube.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10wherein said means for dispensing said pair of continuous strips offlexible fastener profile into said longitudinal seam comprises:a firstprofile guide member longitudinally disposed on and fixedly attached tosaid forming tube so as to be vertically disposed in said longitudinalseam, said first profile guide member having a substantially rectangularlongitudinal slot formed therein said rectangular longitudinal slothaving a width substantially the same as but slightly larger than saidcontinuous fastener profiles so as to slidingly retain and guide saidcontinuous fastener profiles in said longitudinal seam.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13 wherein said first profile guide member comprisesa member having a substantially c-shaped cross-section.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 13 and further comprising:a second profile guidemember comprising a vertically disposed rectangular beam having anexternal configuration and size adapted for insertion between thelateral edges of said continuous fastener profiles when interlocked soas to slidingly retain and align said continuous fastener profileswithin said longitudinal seam.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11 and furthercomprising:a second profile guide member comprising a verticallydisposed rectangular beam having an external configuration and sizeadapted for insertion between the lateral edges of said continuousfastener profiles when interlocked, so as to slidingly retain and alignsaid continuous fastener profiles within said longitudinal seam.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for transversely sealing abottom seal, said means for transversely sealing a top seal and saidmeans for transversely cutting said tube comprise a single bar sealerhaving an upper head, a lower head and a cutting knife horizontallydisposed therebetween, said bar sealer being effective to simultaneouslyseal the top seal of a first flexible reclosable container and thebottom seal of a second flexible reclosable container and to thereafterseparate said first and second flexible reclosable containers.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for transversely sealing abottom seal, and means for transversely sealing said top seal comprisebar sealers, and said means for heat sealing said longitudinal seam soas to form a longitudinal seal comprises an impulse sealer, said impulsesealer being disposed substantially vertically and said bar sealer beingdisposed substantially horizontally, laterally and at a right angle tosaid impulse sealer so as to form said longitudinal seal along one edgeof said container.
 19. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means forheat sealing said longitudinal seam is disposed substantiallyvertically, laterally and at a right angle to said means fortransversely sealing said tube so as to form said longitudinal sealalong one edge of said container.
 20. The apparatus of claim 9 whereinsaid means for dispensing said pair of continuous strips of flexiblefastener profile comprises:roller means for aligning said interlockedcontinuous strips with said longitudinal seam; means for guiding saidinterlocked continuous strips within said longitudinal seam prior tosealing to said flexible film; and, means for positioning saidinterlocked continuous strips during sealing to said film.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for filling said containercomprises a filling tube axially disposed within and extending upwardlyfrom said forming tube.
 22. A method of manufacturing flexiblereclosable containers comprising the steps of:dispensing a continuousweb of flexible film; forming said continuous web into a tube, said tubehaving a seam longitudinally disposed thereon, said seam comprisinglateral edges of said continuous web adjoining each other, andprojecting substantially normally from said tube; dispensing continuousstrips of said flexible fastener profile into said seam; sealing saidcontinuous strips of said flexible fastener profile to said film withinsaid seam; longitudinally sealing said seam together proximate saidlateral edges so as to form said longitudinal seal along said seam;transversely sealing said tube so as to form a bottom seal of saidcontainer; filling said container; transversely sealing said tube so asto form a top seal of said container; and severing said container fromsaid continuous web.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein said step oftransversely sealing said tube comprises:sealing said top and bottomseals in the same plane as said longitudinal seal, so that saidlongitudinal seal extends between said top and bottom seal along oneside of said container.
 24. The method of claim 22 wherein saiddispensing continuous strips step includes dispensing said strips withsaid flexible fastener profiles interlocked prior to insertion into saidseam.
 25. An apparatus for forming a vertical tubular form fillreclosable package from a sheet of flexible film and continuous stripsof flexible fastener profile comprising:a supply spout for verticallydropping contents into a tube; means for guiding and wrapping the sheetof film about said spout to form a tube as the fin moves downwardly oversaid spout; first guide means positioned relative to the spout forbringing the lateral edges of the film together in confrontingrelationship to form a seam; first attaching means for joining the edgesof the film to form a fin seal at a seal location; feed means forfeeding the continuous strips of flexible fastener profile into saidseam between said spout and said seal location; and second attachingmeans for joining the continuous strips of flexible fastener profile tothe inner surface of the film between said fin seal and said spout toprovide a reclosable closure inside the fin seal.
 26. A method offorming a vertical tubular form fill reclosable package from a sheet offlexible film comprising the steps of:continuously feeding a supply offlexible film from a supply means; wrapping the film into tubular shapeover a filling spout bringing the lateral edges of the film together inabutting face-to-face relationship to form a longitudinal seam in thetubular shape; attaching the laces of said edges together at a seallocation to form a fin seal; feeding a continuous supply of flexiblefastener profile strips into said seam between said spout and said seallocation; and attaching said flexible fastener profile strips to theinner surface of the film between said seal location and said spout toprovide a reopenable closure between the fin seal and the contents ofthe tube supplied through the filling spout.
 27. The apparatus of claim9 wherein said means for sealing said pair of continuous strips to saidfilm within said longitudinal seam comprises:a pair of impulse sealersaligned with and next to the outside of said longitudinal seam andparallel to said continuous strips; means for intermittently compressingsaid impulse sealers together with said continuous strips of fastenerprofile and said longitudinal seam being interposed therebetween; and,means for providing an electrical current to said impulse sealers of adesired strength and duration so as to effect heat sealing of saidfastener strips to said longitudinal seam.